Do You Have A Fatty Liver

The most common disease in America is something you have probably never heard of, but it affects 90-million Americans and is a major risk factor for diabetes, heart attacks, and even cancer. It is called NALFD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) or fatty liver, for short, and is caused by the 152 pounds of sugar and 146 pounds of flour each of us consumes annually.

How do you know if you have it? What’s causing it? And how do you fix it? Do you exercise, take drugs, change your diet, or take supplements to fix it?

Many of you are probably wondering, What is a fatty liver? Have you heard of foie gras? Foie gras is the (controversial) French delicacy made from duck or goose liver. The fat that develops in the livers of these animals as a result of intentional of overfeeding could be accumulating in your own liver, unknowingly. For those people who have this disease, essentially what they have is a liver packed with fat, and that is a major cause of chronic disease and inflammation in the body.

How is it that we live in a country where NAFLD is the single most common disease, but most people have never even heard of it? More than 70 million Americans have a fatty liver and almost none of them know they have it. In fact, you might have it, as well, and not even know it.

What causes a fatty liver?

In order to make foie gras, ducks or geese are force-fed sugar in the form of corn and starch; a sad practice. In the body, this sugar turns on a fat-production factory in the liver, a process known as lipogenesis, which is the body’s normal response to sugar. Fructose actually ramps up the lipogenesis response even more. The high-fructose corn syrup found in processed foods is the single biggest cause of fatty liver. Soda, because it is the number-one source of calories in the American diet, is the biggest cause of the disease.

How do you know if you have it?

Blood tests are available that can detect a fatty liver. You can also see it on an ultrasound. And if your test comes back abnormal, you are in trouble. But even if your test comes back normal, you might not be out of the woods. Be aware that a liver-function test doesn’t always detect a fatty liver. An ultrasound can be more sensitive.

The bottom line is, if you eat a lot of sugar and flour, if you have a little bit of belly fat, or if you crave carbs, starch, and sugar, you probably have this.

Why is this a problem?

Fatty liver creates a whole cascade of issues. It causes inflammation in your body. This inflammation creates insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, which causes your body to deposit fat not just in your liver but also all around your organs and in your belly.

That dangerous belly fat caused by the sugar and starch in your diet then creates even more problems. It causes you to have high triglycerides and low HDL, the good cholesterol. It causes you to have small LDL, the dangerous cholesterol particles that cause heart attacks.

In fact, having a fatty liver puts you at great risk for having a heart attack, and most people have no idea they have it. Certain populations like Latin Americans have a much higher risk of having a fatty liver.

And shockingly, now, we see 12-year-old boys who have lived on soda for years needing liver transplants from fatty liver. That’s pretty scary, and we really need to think about what we are doing to our children by feeding them these toxic substances.

When you have a fatty liver, you need to think about the damage it’s causing. You don’t want to end up with a liver transplant. You don’t want to end up needing to be on medications to fix the complications of a fatty liver like, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and abnormal cholesterol. You want to get to the root of the problem. There are some really simple things you can do with diet, exercise, and supplements to help heal your fatty liver.

The post Do You Have A Fatty Liver appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between holistic and alternative medicine?

Holistic medicine treats the whole person – mind, body, spirit, and soul. It looks at all aspects of an individual’s health, including physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and environmental factors often overlooked by conventional medicine. Alternative medicine can treat specific conditions like allergies, asthma, arthritis, and others.

What are alternative medicine examples?

Alternative medicine refers specifically to any treatment that is not used in mainstream medicine. These include traditional Chinese medicine and homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal medicines, nutritional therapy, energy healing techniques, such as Reiki, and acupuncture.

Alternative medicine could also refer to any practice that has not been supported by scientific evidence but is used in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.

Can a holistic physician write prescriptions for me?

Holistic medicine relies on the idea that all diseases are caused in part by a combination – diet, lifestyle and environment. Stress, anxiety, genetics and any other health-related factors.

These factors are important to consider when prescribing medications. This is part of a balanced approach to treating patients.

To understand how each factor affects a patient, a physician must understand modern science and traditional methods such as herbs and homeopathy.

Many doctors are certified in alternative and complementary medicine (C&A). This allows them to offer a complete range of services for their patients.

What are the benefits to complementary and alternative medicine?

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to medical practices that are used by patients who do not feel they are receiving adequate care from allopathic medicine. These include homeopathy, herbal medicine, massage therapy and homeopathy. Traditional Chinese medicine, biofeedback, spiritual healing, chiropractic care, homeopathy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care and other therapies. Many CAM practitioners use treatment methods that aren’t part of conventional medicine’s standard system of diagnosis and treatment. Many CAM therapies can also be integrated with elements of mainstream medicine. One example is acupuncture that uses needles. Others use heat or acupressure.

Some CAM treatments can be used to relieve pain, anxiety, stress, relaxation, sleep disorders, or manage stress. They may improve your general well-being as well as reduce fatigue. Some CAM therapies treat specific conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. Others CAM therapies could be simply enjoyable.

Although there is no clear definition of CAM, many definitions include at most one of the following:

An holistic view that considers body, mind and environment.
The belief that mind and body interact with each other and have an influence on one another
The belief that illness can be caused by an imbalance in the environment or between the individual and his/her environment
It is important to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Combination of Eastern philosophy and Western science
Methods that treat mind, body, spirit in a holistic way
Use of natural products rather than synthetic chemicals
The healing touch
Mindfulness
Meditation
Acupuncture
Yoga
Herbal remedies
Homeopathy
Chiropractic care
Massage therapy
Hypnotherapy
Spiritual healing
Biofeedback
Nutritional counseling
Energy healing

There are potential risks to certain CAM therapies, in addition to the potential benefits. If used incorrectly, some therapies can cause severe harm or even death. Other therapies have potential side effects which must be considered against the perceived benefits. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about using any CAM before deciding whether to go ahead.

What’s the difference between alternative medicine or complementary medicine?

Alternative medicine refers to treatments not considered conventional by mainstream medical professionals but have been shown to provide benefits for certain conditions. You can find examples of acupuncture as homeopathy, aromatherapy or reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and even naturopathy. Complementary therapies are those treatments that go beyond conventional treatment. They can also be used with conventional medicine. These include dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, and other natural substances.

Both types of medicine are used frequently, but many conventional doctors won’t recommend them due insufficient evidence or safety concerns.

The best way to integrate CAM into patient care is not a consensus among health care professionals.

Many CAM treatments are based off theories that have been around for thousands years. But clinical trials in the past 20 years have suggested that these therapies might work.

Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can relieve pain. Similarly, preliminary data show that it may reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Studies have also shown that acupuncture may reduce symptoms of irritable-bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Some CAM techniques may also be beneficial in treating diseases like HIV/AIDS (AIDS), diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

Even though there are still gaps in our knowledge about the effectiveness of CAM, most experts agree that it can play a role in treating various ailments.

People are increasingly turning to CAM practitioners to find relief from common ailments.

Despite this growing popularity, many people remain confused about what exactly constitutes “alternative” or “complementary” medicine.

How safe can holistic medicine be?

Holistic medicine is safe because it does not contain harmful drugs. It is a natural treatment for people who have been using it for centuries.

They have been shown to cure many illnesses, such as arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, etc.

Millions of people suffer from various illnesses use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal treatments, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, nutrition, counseling, physical fitness, exercise, and other complementary therapies. These therapies are holistic and treat the person as a whole, not the symptoms.

What is the alternative to holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine refers to a holistic approach to health care. It considers all aspects and their emotional, spiritual, and environmental dimensions. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.

Holistic medicine doctors believe that prevention is more effective than treatment. To achieve optimal wellness, holistic medicine doctors work closely alongside their patients.

They seek to identify underlying causes of disease and prevent it from recurring. Holistic physicians treat the entire body, not just its organs. They often refer to the entire being as “the body.”

It means they treat the body holistically and look beyond the skin. The doctor may suggest lifestyle and diet changes. He might also recommend yoga or meditation, herbal supplements, massages, acupuncture, chiropractic care, or other forms alternative medicine.

Statistics

According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)

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What are the different types of alternative and complementary medicine?

There are four major types of CAM: mind-body medicine (natural products), manipulative therapies (energy healing), and manipulative therapies (natural products). Mind-body medicine includes yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Reiki, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, naturopathy, biofeedback, hypnosis, and herbalism. Natural products include herbs vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, and botanicals. Manipulative therapies can include physical manipulations such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and osteopathic/chiropractic care. You can also use prayer and visualization to help you heal your energy.

CAM refers to a variety of health practices that are not in line with Western medical models. These practices vary widely regarding how much scientific evidence supports them, whether they involve drugs or surgery, and which conditions they treat. Some CAM professionals also perform diagnostic testing, such as blood tests, and prescribe medication. Others may do neither.

In addition to these four primary categories, there are many subcategories within each category. In mind-body medicine there are relaxation techniques. Natural products can include nutritional supplements and botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies as well as essential oils, botanical medicines, essential oils, nutraceuticals herbal preparations, medicinal herbs, and teas. Manipulative therapies include manual, movement, traction, electrotherapies, cupping, stretching, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedics, and neurostimulation. Spiritual healing includes faith healing and prayer.

Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. Some chronic diseases may be treated with CAM. If used correctly, CAM may be a complement to conventional treatments.

There are many different reasons people use the CAM.

To improve their overall health.
To manage a particular condition.
To relieve pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

Some people use CAM to have more control over their own health than traditional medicine. It may have fewer side effects. Others prefer CAM to stay away from prescription medications. Others still prefer not take prescription drugs if they are possible. And still, others seek out CAM because they have had bad experiences with conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM want to know what they are doing before they try something new. Many CAM users want to know more about the safety of CAM. Others rely on word of mouth from friends and family members.

Although CAM can be viewed negatively by society in general, most users feel positive about it. People who use CAM are generally happier and healthier than people who don’t. This is true regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, income, education level, occupation, insurance status, or other factors.

Nearly all Americans use some kind of complementary and/or alternative medicine. 95% of adults use CAM at least once in their lives. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), approximately 40 million visits were made to CAM providers in 2010 alone.

The NCCIH estimates 10 percent of the U.S. populace uses chiropractors.

2013 was a year that the American Medical Association (AMA) reaffirmed its support of integrative medicine. It recognized that physicians should “integrate scientifically valid complementary and alternative medicine into clinical practice…to meet patients ‘ needs and expectations.”5

The Institute of Medicine published a landmark study in 2007 titled “Releasing Constraints – Improving Access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare” which concluded that “there is no credible evidence of any specific CAM intervention being effective in preventing, treating, and curing cancer.”

CAM continues growing in popularity despite these findings. The number of CAM practitioners grew by 8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.

A recent study revealed that almost half of respondents use CAM as partof their primary healthcare regime.

CAM therapies may include natural products and mind-body practices as well as manipulative techniques, energy healing, modalities, exercise, and dietary supplements.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily as pain relief. But, many offer additional benefits such relaxation, improved moods, better sleep, decreased stress and enhanced immunity.

Acupuncture, for example, can relieve chronic back pain, lower anxiety and depression, improve immune function and promote weight loss.

Many CAM treatments are based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and their roots go back thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was first practiced in China over 5,000 year ago.

TCM was only in the mid-1800s that Western science gained prominence. However, it is still an important part of modern health care.

TCM is used for treatment by more than 70% of Americans today.

Yoga is another popular CAM therapy. Yoga was developed in India circa 5000 B.C. It is now widespread.

Yoga has become increasingly popular with the general public because it offers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Yoga has been shown to improve sleep33, even though there is not much scientific evidence. It may also be beneficial for insomnia sufferers.

Other CAM therapies such as aromatherapy, meditation, and homeopathy are also being accepted by mainstream medicine.

The most widely used CAM today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines can include herbs, spices, plants, seeds and fruits as well as bark, leaves, roots, stems, and other medicinal substances.

They are often considered safer than prescription drugs and are used widely by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society, 45% of adults diagnosed with cancer said they used alternative medicine during their illness.

The National Institutes of Health has estimated that 60% of patients with breast cancer use CAM. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 50% of all cancer survivors reported using CAM.

According to a recent survey, 51% reported that they used at least one type (CAM) of CAM.

However, only 8 percent of those individuals had discussed this with their doctors.

This is a serious problem with healthcare delivery because there is not enough communication between conventional medical practitioners and CAM users.

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